# NTSB MIA98LA070: Bell 206B, N26EA, Miami, FL, February 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.780748, -80.179145 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7807&lon=-80.1791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38450/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic) while attempting a takeoff to a hover, which led to an on-ground loss of control (dynamic rollover). ## Analysis The pilot stated that the helicopter was facing about 100 degrees with a known right crosswind. He increased collective pitch and the helicopter came off the ground left skid low. As he was applying right cyclic the helicopter encountered a gust and rolled over on its side. When asked what happened, the pilot stated he encountered dynamic rollover, and was not able to correct the situation before the helicopter rolled over. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 1998, at about 1600 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N26EA, registered to Action Helicopters Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, crashed while attempting to pick up to a hover at Watson Island, Miami, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the helicopter was facing about 100 degrees with a known right crosswind. He increased collective pitch and the helicopter came off the ground left skid low. As he was applying right cyclic he encountered a gust of wind, and the helicopter continued to roll over on its side. When asked what caused the accident, the pilot stated he encountered dynamic rollover, and was unable to take corrective action before the helicopter rolled over. Review of weather information obtained from Miami International Airport, for the time period of the accident, revealed no recorded record of turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear. A review of Advisory Circular 90-97, Helicopter Dynamic Rollover states, an increasing percentage of helicopter accidents are being attributed to dynamic rollover, a phenomenon that will without immediate corrective action, result in destruction of the helicopter and possible serious injury....During normal or slope takeoffs and landings with some degree of bank angle or side drift with one skid/wheel on the ground, the bank angle or side drift can place the helicopter in a situation where it is pivoting (rolling) about a skid/wheel which is still in contact with the ground. When this happens, lateral cyclic control response becomes more sluggish and less effective for a free hovering helicopter. Consequently, if a roll rate is permitted to develop, a critical bank angle (the angle between the helicopter and the horizon) may be reached where roll cannot be corrected, even with full lateral cyclic, and the helicopter will roll over onto its side. As the roll rate increases, the angle at which recovery is still possible is significantly reduced. The critical rollover angle is also reduced. The critical rollover angle is further reduced under the following conditions: a. Right side skid down condition; b. Crosswinds; c. Lateral center of gravity offset; d. Main rotor thrust almost equal to helicopter weight; and e. Left yaw inputs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command - Roll over, takeoff ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26EA-2001-12-03), registration cancelled 2001-12-03, S/N 2175, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2175 - Airframe hours: 15700 - Engines: Allison C-20-B 425 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Action Helicopter Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X-44 - Airport: X44, Watson Island Int ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private, commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MIA, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980203000929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980203000929A), Feb 3, 1998: Bell 206B, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Lifted off pad ub crosswind left skid low. Late in correcting entered dynamic rollover. (-23) the following is a list of events that took place regarding the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.